Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka Strong In Second Round Of 2012 Australian Open; Caroline Wozniacki Advances After Being Pushed In Tough Second Set

Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka has started the first two rounds of the 2012 Australian Open like she means business. In her first two matches she has won 24 games and lost 2. Heather Watson had no chance against Vika in the first round. Similarly, Australia’s own Casey Dellacqua proved no threat either for the #3 seed as Vika pounded her, 6-1 6-0. I’m not liking Mona Barthel’s chances to derail Azarenka in round three. She’ll be fortunate if she wins more than 4 total games if Vika continues to play like this.

Kim Clijsters

Bouncing back from a shaky first round was defending champion Kim Clijsters. The crowd favorite found the form that took her to the title in 2011, routing Stephanie Foretz Gacon, 6-0 6-1. Up next is a real test, as Kim takes on Daniela Hantuchova. Ok, granted Kim is 9-1 against Daniela with the only loss being two weeks ago in Brisbane when Kim won the first set and then retired in the second with a hip injury. However, as any Hantuchova fan will tell you, Daniela can be super streaky, playing poorly at times and like a world-beater other times. Just ask Caroline Wozniacki last year at Roland Garros.

Caroline Wozniacki tries to beat the heat in Melbourne

Speaking of Caroline Wozniacki, the world #1 fought off a spirited second set charge from Anna Tatishvili to prevail, 6-1 7-6 (4). Honestly, Tatishvili had her chances to win that second set and put a lot of pressure on Caroline. I think Caroline will beat her next opponent, Monica Niculescu, but lurking in the following round is the winner of Jelena Jankovic vs American up and comer Christina McHale. JJ has the game, if not always the head, to beat Caroline. And while McHale might not be as well known, the young American teen already posted a win over Wozniacki last year.